The Probate Court is a court of limited jurisdiction responsible for the probating or proving of all wills of Columbia County residents. It is a court of record, so all documents filed here must be recorded in minute books and kept permanently available to the public. Probate Court is divided into the following four divisions:

The Civil Division is responsible for all types of estate matters which include administrations, guardianships, year's support proceedings, and all proceedings related to probate matters.

The Vital Records Division issues and records all marriage licenses and is the registrar and custodian of all birth and death records. We issue these records based on information from the proper agencies, forward them to the state to be recorded there, and then permanently store them.

The Licensing/Permit Division issues Georgia Weapons Carry License and Peddler's License. Once you have applied for these license/permit a background check will be ran to determine whether or not we issue you the license/permit.

The Criminal Division handles traffic citations issued by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Public Service Commission, and the Department of Natural Resources.

We are maintaining our office at the County seat of Appling as well as our office in the Justice Center in Evans.

Our beloved Honorable Pat Hardaway served as Probate Judge for 30 years. During her years of service she gave of herself unwaveringly to ensure that truth, integrity and justice was embodied with this court as well as the county. Her passing was a great loss to this county. She will be greatly missed!